A memorial service will be held in the Bakersfield National Cemetery located at 30338 E. Bear Mountain Blvd., Arvin, on Thursday, January 10. 2013 at 1:15 p.m. for longtime Taft resident, William James Osborn, 86. Mr. Osborn was born on April 27, 1926 in Fellows and passed away on November 16, 2012 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. While serving in the United States Marine Corps, he landed on Iwo Jima, was in Japan during its occupation and also served during the Korean Conflict. Bill worked in the oil industry from 1952 to 1990. Bill was an artist, and enjoyed numerous hobbies. He was a professional boxer, enjoyed fencing, running and built his own sailboat. Bill was preceded in death by his wife of 35 years, Shirley; his daughter, Meloni; and by his brother, Robert. His survivors include his daughters, Vicki, Debbie, April, Sheila and Margy; his son, Paul; his 12 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren; and by his sisters, Mary Reed of Redding and Veora Herbruck of Idaho. There are no visitation hours scheduled and the arrangements are under the direction of the Erickson & Brown Funeral Home. To convey condolences or sign an online registry, please visit www.EricksonAndBrown.com